A city in Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Le Sueur Countys, Minnesota, (Most of the city being in Blue Earth County. Mankato alone has a population of around 35,000, however, right across the Minnesota River is North Mankato, home to another 15,000 people. It is commonly nicknamed Kato
Mankato is in and around the Minnesota River Valley, and Mankato-North Mankato are commonly divided into 4 "Districts"
Lower Mankato- The Mankato part of the valley, oldest part of town.
Upper Mankato- Part of Mankato on top of the hill, home to stuff like the River Hills Mall and many other commercial stores and restaurants.
Lower North Mankato- The smaller side of the river
Upper North Mankato- Newest part of town
Mankato is home to several Colleges, including Minnesota State University Mankato and Bethany Lutheran College.
Because of this, the city is often considered a college town and attracts many big name acts including
Three Days Grace, Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot and The Harlem
Globe Trotters. It is also home to a large music scene. It's home to the
What's Up Lounge and the Verizon Wireless Center.
The two primary high schools are Mankato East and Mankato West.
In recent years, the city has become a refugee city for Somalian and Sudanese refugees.
